THOUSANDS of people will scramble for the best vantage points along the region's coastline on Sunday to catch a glimpse of the QE2.

The world-renowned ocean liner is making her first visit to the region, as part of her 40th anniversary celebrations.

It will be the last chance for many people to see the ship before she is retired to a new life as a floating attraction in the Middle East, next year.

During her four decades, the QE2 has become a British icon, circling the world countless times and even serving her nation during the Falklands War.

She will spend two days in the North-East and a right royal reception is planned.

About 600 schoolchildren dressed in red silk banners will welcome her into the Port of Tyne with a long-rehearsed dance performance.

A virtual red carpet will unfurl across the river, while a flotilla of small craft leads their big sister inland and a spectacular pyrotechnic display lights up the skies above.

It could be our last chance to see the Cunard Line ship, as she is due to be retired next year and become a floating hotel in Dubai.

Stella Hall, creative director of the NewcastleGatehead Initiative, said: "North-East England is renowned for the warm welcome it extends to visitors and the arrival of this magnificent vessel and its hundreds of passengers presents us with the perfect occasion to creatively and spectacularly show just how well we do this."

The events on Tyneside will begin as soon as the QE2 arrives, at about 4.30pm. She will dock in Tyne Commission Quay by 6.30pm. A civic reception is planned.

The liner will depart the quay, heading North, on Monday, at 6pm.

Northumbria Police and Nexus, the public transport operator, are urging visitors to travel early, as large crowds are expected and parking at the best vantage points will be limited.

Various roads on Tyneside will be closed for most of the day.

For public transport information, call the North-East Traveline on 0871-200-22-33.

There is no public access aboard the QE2 during its visit.

Two fireworks displays are planned for the QE2's visit to Scarborough.

The first will be held on Saturday evening and the second as she arrives, on Sunday at noon.

The fireworks will be set off from South Bay Pool.